Dimensions helps people with learning disabilities, autism, and complex needs live fulfilling lives in their communities. They offer personalized support to give individuals more voice, choice, and control. With 7,000 staff, Dimensions works with families and those they support to improve services. Their goal is to empower people to lead happy, ordinary lives.

Through our person-centred approach we support:

Learning for Life is a registered charity and Northeast provider of education and social care services for children and adults aged 16 plus who have a diverse range of complex needs and disabilities. 

The Care Farming Programme is for adults with learning disabilities, difficulties and autism.  Learn new skills and gain confidence. Work as part of a team in Ouseburn Farm's farmyard, gardens or visitor centre.  

Ouseburn Farm has the following placements: 

We have a range of programmes from Pre-entry to Level 2 focusing on independent living skills, social and community involvement as well as work and life skills. Please note days are subject to availability and change.

Choose from the subjects below:

Pathways to Working Life

This pathway is for young people with a learning disability and/or difficulty who would like to develop their skills and progress into employment whilst working on core skills such as maths and English along with employment skills. The course will help you with your personal social and economic welfare, and you will receive pastoral support to help you fulfil your aspirations and reach your goals.

Drop in anytime between 10am and 12pm on the dates listed.

Each month there is a focus on a particular topic. However, you can talk with us about any other sexual health and relationships topics.

There is no cost.  Free Condoms and sexually transmitted infection (STI) test kits are available at all sessions!

For more information, please get in touch via email or phone.  

These workshops cover a wide range of topics.  Come along if you would like to learn more about sex and relationships.

Molehill Mountain is an app to help autistic people understand and self-manage anxiety.

You can use Molehill Mountain to explore the causes and symptoms of anxiety.

• Track your worries and the situations that trigger anxiety.

• Get evidence-based daily tips to understand more about anxiety.

• Feel more confident to self-manage anxiety.

It was developed by Autistica and King's College London.  Adults with autism were consulted throughout the development of the app.

Tyneside Women’s Health was established in 1985 with the key aim of helping women to improve their mental health and emotional wellbeing.  

Tyneside Women’s Health offers a range of interventions for women including drop in sessions, support groups, mental health courses, counselling, and various therapeutic activities such as relaxation.  We have also introduced a range of online and virtual support services. Please visit our website for more information.

Our main Centre is based in central Gateshead, and we have a second Centre in Byker, Newcastle.

Are you looking after someone who needs help and support?

If you are caring for someone who cannot manage without your support and you're not employed to do this, then you are a carer. Anyone can become a carer at any point in their life. We're here to listen and support you.

Newcastle Carers is an independent charity supporting adults, children, and young people who look after someone living in Newcastle upon Tyne. Our services are free, confidential and non-judgemental, helping carers find ways to make their caring situation easier to manage.

Family Advice and Support Team at Skills for People

Services Offered:

Skills for People helps disabled children and adults and their families to be in control and to have better lives. We also work with children with special educational needs.

We offer help with planning, meeting other disabled people and their families, advocacy, advocacy groups, social activities, self help meetings and individual development. We work with people who have an individual budget and those who do not.

Help and Connect is a service offered by Skills for People.

If you live in Newcastle upon Tyne and are aged 16 or over, our Help and Connect team can help you to get your support right and to make the most of what’s going on in your area.

What does Help and Connect offer?

Our team will help you make the most of the information we have. You can find out about:

Nystagmus Network is a charity that helps people with nystagmus, a condition where the eyes move uncontrollably. They offer many services to support families and children with nystagmus.

Support Services

Inclusion North promotes the inclusion of people with learning disabilities, their families and carers.

The world is a better place when people with learning disabilities are included in everything.

We try to make this happen by:

Today, 10 children and young people in the UK will hear the shocking news that they have cancer.

Treatment normally starts immediately, is often given many miles from home and can last for up to three years. Being diagnosed with cancer is a frightening experience and the emotional, practical and financial implications of treatment are intensely challenging for the whole family.

We aim to raise awareness and make sure D/deaf, Deafblind and Hard of Hearing people have access to information and services in the same way as hearing people.  We provide information and signposting for deaf-related services. 

Deaflink has developed as an organisation with the principles of inclusion and empowerment, trying to bring people and agencies in partnership to understand better the needs and issues of D/deaf, Deafblind and Hard of Hearing people.

Charity number 1147237

For brothers and sisters of disabled children and adults

Sibs is a UK charity for siblings who may be finding it hard to cope with a brother or sister who is disabled, has special educational needs or a serious long term condition.

It is the only UK charity representing the needs of over half a million young siblings and over one and a half million adult siblings.

Sibs can give information and advice both over the phone and online. Sibs also runs YoungSibs, an online only support service for siblings in the UK aged 7 to 17. 

Retina UK is the national charity for families living with inherited retinal dystrophies. We fund research and provide information and support to those affected by inherited sight loss and the professionals who support them.

We support anyone with the following visual impairments: Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP), Rod Cone dystrophy, Cone Rod dystrophy, Choroideremia, Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA), Bardet-Biedl syndrome (BBS), Usher syndrome, Stargardt disease.

PANS (paediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric syndrome) and PANDAS (paediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric syndrome associated with strep) are devastating neuropsychiatric conditions that are currently poorly recognised, diagnosed and supported both medically and in schools.  

One estimate suggests that up to 1 in 200 children suffer from this condition. 

This Facebook group is for local parents of disabled children and young people.  Once you join you can ask other parents about problems you are having and where to get help and share your experiences with one another. 

This page also provides information on activities happening locally including coffee mornings and drop in events.

To find out what is happening, check out the flyers featured on their Facebook group and socials:

We are a Community Interest Company (non profit organisation), providing a range of services in the North East around Deaf and Hearing Impairment. We consult Forum Members for advice and guidance on different projects and issues.

Deaf and hearing working together in Tyne and Wear, breaking down the barriers that Deaf or hearing impaired people face in our society. This includes training, British Sign Language (BSL) interpretation, Support and general advice and guidance.

The Toby Henderson Trust (TTHT) is an independently funded charity supporting autistic children, their families and carers.  After 15 years at Whitehouse Farm the trust has recently moved to Toby House, Earth Balance, Bedlington, Northumberland.

We are the one and only charity in the North East focused on life changing early intervention with autistic children (aged 2 to 7). Our service users tell us early intervention can transform the life of a child…

About Arthritis Action

Founded in 1942, Arthritis Action is the only UK charity giving hands-on, practical help to combat the pain of arthritis through self-management and lifestyle advice. We offer people with arthritis a holistic self-management approach, looking at both the physical and mental aspects of arthritis.